Licorice Caramels

Dlorez Haehlen's Note:

I originally found this recipe in the Orlando Sentinel in Dorothy Chapmans food column. She found the recipe in the 1991 Better Homes and Gardens Grand Holiday Cooking. This recipe is well worth the effort.

• Total Time: 2 mins
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 64 pieces

• 1 cup butter (do not substitute margarine)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon anise extract
• 1/2 teaspoon black food coloring or 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Directions:

1. Line a 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan.
2. Butter foil: set aside.
3. Melt butter in heavy 3-quart saucepan over low heat.
4. Add sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and salt, Mix well.
5. Carefully clip candy thermometer to side of pan.
6. Cook over medium heat, stirring CONSTANTLY until thermometer registers 244F degrees , firm ball stage.
7. Reaching firm ball stage should take 15-20 minutes (be careful, mixture scorches easily).
8. Remove from heat.
9. Remove candy thermometer from saucepan.
10. Add anise and color, stir to mix.
11. Quickly pour candy without scraping into prepared pan.
12. Cool several hours or until firm.
13. Use foil to lift and out of pan onto cutting board.
14. Peel off and discard foil.
15. With buttered sharp knife, cut immediately into one inch squares.
16. Wrap individually in waxed paper or plastic wrap.
17. Makes 64 pieces, about 2-3/4 pounds.
18. NOTE: mixture must be stirred constantly as tiny crystals that form tend to scorch quickly.

Reviews

[sissy sue]

These are so good. I can't stand licorice, but these are really good. I put 2 tsp. of anise in it. It was just right. I do think I boiled it to long, as it really got hard. But it melts in your mouth. I know I will be makeing it a lot.

[pammyowl]

I was so happy to find this recipe! I LOVE these caramels! The only thing I would change is the temp.Maybe my digital thermometer is off, but they did not get as firm as they should be. Too soft, and they stick to my teeth! I will cook a bit longer, maybe 250?

[KennKonn]

I made these for my dad for Xmas because he loves black licorice. I doubled the anise extract to two teaspoons (as per review suggestion) and next time would add the third teaspoon because he likes that strong licorice flavor. I was worried about dad's dental work but they stayed soft and were very creamy. Everyone loved them, my dad wouldnt let me bring any home. These will be requested next year I am sure. Thanks for a new treat for my dad.